Mariners in Tampa Bay and the waters
off the west central coast of Florida may now receive NOAA Weather
Radio (NWR) transmissions dedicated to marine watches and warnings.
Co-sponsored by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries),
the new transmitter is located in Largo (Pinellas County) and is linked
directly to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
(NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Ruskin. NOAA
is an agency of the U.S Department of Commerce.

Operating
at a frequency of 162.450 Megahertz (MHz), the transmitter is equipped
with a directional antenna to spread the signal over water instead
of land. The weather forecast office (WFO) will provide 24-hour forecasts
and warnings for the Tampa Bay area and coastal waters out to 60 nautical
miles.

“That
represents an important extension of the normal broadcast range for
a NOAA Weather Radio,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad
C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans
and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Since the signal reaches
further into the often turbulent Gulf of Mexico, it significantly
increases our ability to reach mariners directly with the warnings.
This is great news for the area’s commercial fishermen, recreational
boaters and people aboard the ships coming in and out of this major
port.”

The Port of Tampa is Florida’s
largest seaport handling nearly half of all the seaborne cargo that
passes through the state. That is more than the combined tonnage for
Florida’s other 13 deepwater seaports. It is also ranked as
the twelfth largest cargo port in the nation and is a major port for
the rapidly expanding cruise industry. Nearly 125,000 recreational
and commercial fishing boats are registered in the three counties
(Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee) surrounding Tampa Bay.

“Not only does the new marine-based
NOAA Weather Radio have a longer range, but its programming cycle
will be shorter allowing us to broadcast forecasts more frequently,”
said Ira Brenner, meteorologist-in charge of WFO Ruskin. “Whether
they are on the water for commercial or recreational purposes, this
vital service will help mariners make safer choices.”

In addition to the weather forecasts,
watches and warnings, the new transmitter will be used by NOAA Fisheries
to broadcast fishery closures; marine public service announcements;
and, information on fishery management, meetings and regulations.

Roy Crabtree, NOAA administrator of NOAA
Fisheries’ Southeast Region, believes the new station represents
a new generation of broadcasting for NOAA Fisheries and the NWS.

“The
goal of the station is to broadcast timely information on both marine
weather and marine resources and fisheries,” said Crabtree.
“We want our broadcasts to help assure a safe, enjoyable boating
experience for our listeners. We also want to help our listeners play
their important role as stewards in protecting and preserving our
marine resources, especially our endangered sea turtles and mammals.
The concerned listener will now have timely information empowering
them with the knowledge necessary to comply with our marine regulations,
report violators to federal or state enforcement agencies and contribute
to ongoing management programs by attending public meetings and providing
input on proposed regulatory changes. In other words, the concerned
listener will become a partner in our grand enterprise to protect
and preserve our nation's living marine resources.”

The NOAA Weather Radio network has more
than 800 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. Pacific Territories.
Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and
costs. Some receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves
on if a severe weather warning is broadcast and can be programmed
to warn for weather and civil emergencies in only your county.

Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are
either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with
battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers
and AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio
transmissions. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics
stores.

NOAA’s National Weather Service
is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for
the United States and its territories. NOAA Weather Service operates
the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in
the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national
economy.

The Commerce Department’s National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to enhancing economic
security and national safety through the prediction and research of
weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship
of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.